Game apparatus for entrapping a ball



Aug. 29, 1967 w.- H. M KAIN v GAME APPARATUS FOR ENTRAPPING A BALL Filed April 2.7, 1966 INVENTOR. WILLIAM H. McKAIN @wm. M

ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,338,579 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 GAME APPARATUS FOR ENTRAPPING A BALL William H. McKain, R0. Box 425, Centralia, ll]. 62801 Filed Apr. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 545,639 3 Claims. (Cl. 273127) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 421,493, filed Dec. 28, 1964. This invention relates to game apparatus for entrapping a ball in a game of skill and more particularly to such apparatus positioned on a playing field and adapted to entrap a ball kicked r propelled over the surface of the playing field.

When a ball, such as an air-inflated spherical ball around eight (8) inches in diameter, is kicked or propelled over a playing field, the ball may travel over a wide range of speeds. At slow speeds the ball may barely actuate the trap; while at higher speeds, the ball may strike the trap with a heavy impact. Thus, a trap or goal must be adapted to entrap the ball when it is moving at speeds varying from a very slow roll at one extreme, to a very fast roll, bounce or flight at the other extreme. If a player directs his ball accurately enough to strike the trap, but not accurately enough to enter, it is desirable that the ball not rebound a consider-able distance from the trap. Thus, a trap may also be adapted to shorten the rebound of a ball that strikes the trap, but does not strike it accurately enough to enter the goal.

If the trap is substantially rigid, a ball travelling at a relatively fast speed may bounce consider-ably after it has entered the trap; or, if it strikes the trap and does not enter, it may rebound a considerable distance. If the trap is of a considerable resiliency or flexibility, it may set up counter motions in the ball when the ball strikes the trap resulting in the ball bouncing considerably after it has entered the trap. Thus, a suitable trap should have a limited flexibility or resilience in order to absorb the impact of the ball and yet effectively trap the ball as well as to shorten the rebound of a ball striking the trap, but not entering. A limited generally horizontal movement of the goal of around /2 inch to 1 inch has been found satisfactory for shortening the rebound of a ball striking the trap, but not entering.

As the ball must be easily removed from the trap, the present goal is provided with an open top to permit a player to lift the entrapped ball from the goal. The limited flexibility of the goal permits the ball to be easily entrapped without bouncing out of the top of the goal, and it shortens the rebound of a ball that strikes the trap and is not entrapped. Resistance to the ball entering the goal is undesirable and the present invention provides only a minimum resistance.

The present invention also includes a generally cylindrical rim suspended above the playing field by a pair of opposed flexible rod-like members attached to the rim on opposite sides thereof and extending horizontally from the rim a distance at least equal to the diameter of the rim and at a height above the playing field greater than the diameter of the playing ball to permit the playing ball to move beneath the rod-like support members. A vertical post adjacent the extending end of each rod-like support secures the support. Thus, the goal is suspended by rod-like supports which provide a limited flexibility. The tension on the rod-like supports may be adjusted at the posts to provide the desired flexibility or movement in the rim when struck by a ball. A limited movement of the rim of around /2" to 1" has been found desirable for absorbing the impact forces from the playing ball and yet to trap effectively the playing ball..

A plurality of suspended fingers are arranged in spaced relation about a circle with the fingers being of a minimum weight while of sufiicient strength to permit their continuous use. The light weight fingers provide only a minimum resistance to the travel of the ball and are easily pivoted upon contact with the playing ball to permit entry into the trap. Stops or detents are arranged on the fingers to engage the rim and prevent the fingers from swinging in an outwardly direction. When the fingers are pivoted about when engaged by a ball, the finger-s engage the upper width of the rim to distribute the stress along a substantial portion of the length of the fingers thereby relieving any concentration of stress from the pivots of the fingers.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of several possible embodiments is illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of game apparatus embodying the present invention illustrating a goal supported over a playing area and adapted to trap a playing ball therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragment of FIGURE 1 illustrating means mounting a suspended finger for pivotal movement in one direction and restraining pivotal movement in an opposite direction;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged elevational view of means to adjust the height of the goal above the playing area; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the post for supporting the goal with certain parts being broken away.

Corresponding reference characters represent correspondings parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Game apparatus comprising the present invention includes a goal generally designated 10 supported over a playing field or area F. To support goal 10, a vertical post or support 11 is mounted in playing field F on opposite sides of goal 10. Playing field F is normally at ground level and has a suitable turf to permit a playing ball B to easily roll along its surface. Posts 11 are tubular and may be anchored in concrete or the like, if desired, to provide a generally rigid securement. Playing ball B is preferably an air inflated ball of around eight (8) inches in diameter which may be kicked by a player. Posts 11, in order to present only a minimum interference with the ball, are positioned a distance from goal 10 at least greater than the diameter of goal 10. Thus, ball B may be kicked beneath goal 10 from practically any position.

In order that goal 10 may be easily positioned on posts 11 in a minimum of time and to provide a preselected flexibility for goal 10, flexible rods 12 suspend goal 10 at a height above the ball and are adjustably secured to posts 11. For mounting goal 10, nuts 13 are first threaded on the ends of rods 12 with the rods then inserted through openings 14 in posts 11. Then, end nuts 15 are threaded on rods 12 and tightened to provide the desired tensioning and flexibility to goal 10. Washers 16 are arranged adjacent nuts 13 and 15. When nuts 15 have been suitably tightened, nuts 13 may then be tightened to prevent pivoting of goal 10 when engaged by ball B. Goal 10 is preferably suspended by rods 14 to provide a movement of around /2 to 1 inch when struck by ball B travelling in 3 the higher speed ranges. Posts 11 and rods 12 form cantilevered supports for suspending goal 10.

Goal comprises a generally circular rim or ring 18 forming a main body support for a plurality of fingers 20 suspended in a circle at arcs of about 28' about the periphery of rim 18. Fingers 20 are spaced from each other a distance less than the diameter of ball B to prevent the ball from entering or leaving an inner trap area A defined by the fingers without contacting at least one finger 20. Fingers 20 are spaced from the upper surface of playing area F a height less than the diameter of ball B so that ball B cannot roll under the fingers without contacting the fingers.

For mounting fingers 20, rim 18 has a slot 22 adjacent each finger. A bracket 24 is secured to rim 18 on each side of slot 22 by suitable means, such as nut and bolt combinations 26. Each bracket 24 has a sleeve 27. Fitting Within adjacent sleeves 27 is a cross member 28 on the upper end of each finger 20 and adapted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. To restrain each finger 20 from pivoting or swinging outwardly with respect to trap area A, a stop 30 on finger 211 bears against the inner surface of rim 18 in the vertical suspended position of finger 20 and prevents outward pivoting of the finger from vertical position. Contact of a finger 28 by ball B from a position outside trap area A pivots the finger inwardly as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 1. Thus, ball B enters the area circumscribed by the plurality of fingers 20.

Fingers 20 are a light weight construction in order to provide a minimum resistance to the momentum of ball B as the ball enters the trap. When fingers 20 pivot or flip upwardly after being engaged by the ball, the inner surface of rim 18 is engaged. Rim 18 is of a width of around six (6) inches and when engaged by fingers 20 the impact stress is distributed along the engaged width of rim 18 thereby relieving a concentration of stress about the pivot of cross member 28.

To provide vertical adjustment for goal 10, FIGURE 3 illustrates the connection of rods 12 to rim 18. A suitable clip angle 32 is secured, such as by welding, to the outer face of rim 18 and has an outwardly projecting leg 34. A bolt 36 extends through aligned openings in leg 34 and support 12 and is secured by nut 38. A plurality of spacers 40 are positioned about bolt 36 and may be placed either above or below leg 34 for adjusting the height of goal 10.

As a specific but non-limiting example of the game apparatus comprising the present invention, ball B may be an air inflated spherical ball of eight (8) inches in diameter. Goal 10 may have a diameter of around twenty-two (22) inches with fingers 20 of a length of ten (10) inches and spaced from the field a distance of around four (4) inches. Fingers 20 are spaced in equal arcs of 28 about rim 18 which is of a Width of six (6) inches. Fingers 20 project downwardly a distance of seven (7) inches from the lower edge of rim 18.

In the playing of the game, the player kicks the ball from a set position which may be any desired distance from goal 10, such as one hundred and fifty (150) yards. Successive kicks are made until a goal is made by the ball entering trap area A. If desired, a plurality of goals 10 may be placed over a course with varying distances and terrain between adjacent goals. Several players may compete on a course.

From the foregoing, game apparatus has been provided in which a goal 10 for entrapping a playing ball is suspended above a playing field by an opposed pair of generally horizontal flexible support rods 12. The support rods 12 are easily tensioned and secured to posts 11 at a position remote from goal 10 to provide a minimum of interference with the playing ball. The goal 10 is mounted for limited movement when engaged by the playing ball to absorb the impact force and yet to entrap the ball without the ball bouncing upwardly out of the goal or, if the ball strikes the trap without being entrapped, to keep the ball from rebounding a considerable distance from the trap. Pivotally suspended fingers 20 are of a light weight construction and are adapted to pivot against rim 18 for absorbing impact stresses.

In view of theabove, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advanta geous results obtained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for playing a game of skill with a generally spherical playing ball of generally around eight inches in diameter on a playing field comprising, a pair of generally vertically and extending horizontally spaced posts, a generally horizontal rod adjustably secured to each post generally adjacent the upper end thereof, the pair of rods extending toward each other from the respective posts and having horizontally spaced inner ends, a cylindrical rim of a diameter greater than twice the diameter of the ball connected to and suspended from the inner ends of the opposed rods at a height above the playing field greater than the diameter of the playing ball, means adjustably tensioning said rods and connected rim on said posts to provide a desired flexibility in said rim and said posts being spaced from said rim a distance greater than the diameter of said rim, and a plurality of generally elongated fingers suspended from said rim and spaced from each other a distance less than the diameter of the playing ball to define an inner trap area below the rim greater than the diameter of the playing ball, said fingers being spaced from the playing field a distance less than the diameter of the playing ball and mounted on said rim to pivot inwardly when contacted by the playing ball rolling along the playing field to permit the ball to enter said inner area with said rim being properly tensioned so that the impact of the ball is absorbed without excessive flexibility in the apparatus, said fingers returning to a vertical suspended position after the ball enters the inner trap area, and means on said fingers adapted to engage the inner surface of said rim to prevent the outward pivoting of said fingers, said rim having open ends to permit the playing ball to be lifted therefrom after being entrapped.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rim is a cylindrical rim having a plurality of downwardly facing slots along its lower marginal portion, said fingers being pivotally suspended from the inner face of said and mounted for pivotal movement within said slots whereby said fingers pivot inwardly against said rim when engaged by a playing ball.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer end of each rod is threaded and the adjacent post has an opening receiving said threaded end, and means engaging the threaded rod ends to tension said rods and rim.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,977 4/1957 Lusk 273-177 2,794,640 6/ 1957 Rutheford 273-127 2,974,959 3/ 1961 Zlotnicki 273-177 FOREIGN PATENTS 328,386 9/ 1919 Germany.

14,649 8/ 1916 Great "Britain. 400,422 10/ 1933 Great Britain.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Examiner.

T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL WITH A GENERALLY SPHERICAL PLAYING BALL OF GENERALLY AROUND EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER ON A PLAYING FIELD COMPRISING, A PAIR OF GENERALLY VERTICALLY AND EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY SPACED POSTS, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ROD ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO EACH POST GENERALLY ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF, THE PAIR OF RODS EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER FROM THE RESPECTIVE POSTS AND HAVING HORIZONTALLY SPACED INNER ENDS, A CYLINDRICAL RIM OF A DIAMETER GREATER THAN TWICE THE DIAMETER OF THE BALL CONNECTED TO AND SUSPENDED FROM THE INNER ENDS OF THE OPPOSED RODS AT A HEIGHT ABOVE THE PLAYING FIELD GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE PLAYING BALL, MEANS ADJUSTABLY TENSIONING SAID RODS AND CONNECTED RIM ON SAID POSTS TO PROVIDE A DESIRED FLEXIBILITY IN SAID RIM AND SAID POSTS BEING SPACED FROM SAID RIM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID RIM, AND A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY ELONGATED FINGERS SUSPENDED FROM SAID RIM AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE PLAYING BALL TO DEFINE AN INNER TRAP AREA BELOW THE RIM GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE PLAYING BALL, SAID FINGERS BEING SPACED FROM THE PLAYING FIELD A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE PLAYING BALL AND MOUNTED ON SAID RIM TO PIVOT INWARDLY WHEN CONTACTED BY THE PLAYING BALL ROLLING ALONG THE PLAYING FIELD TO PERMIT THE BALL ROLLING ALONG THE PLAYING RIM BEING PROPERLY TENSIONED SO THAT THE IMPACT OF THE BALL IS ABSORBED WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FLEXIBILITY IN THE APPARATUS, SAID FINGERS RETURNING TO A VERTICAL SUSPENDED POSITION AFTER THE BALL ENTERS THE INNER TRAP AREA, AND MEANS ON SAID FINGERS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID RIM TO PREVENT THE OUTWARD PIVOTING OF SAID FINGERS, SAID RIM HAVING OPEN ENDS TO PERMIT THE PLAYING BALL TO BE LIFTED THEREFROM AFTER BEING ENTRAPPED. 